Newcastle have completed the signing of the French striker Emmanuel Rivière from Monaco on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old becomes Alan Pardew’s fifth signing of the summer and offers much-needed support up front after the departures of the loan signing Loic Rémy and the out-of-contract Shola Ameobi.

“This is an important signing because the striking area is one we really had to improve,” Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager, told the club’s website. “We have looked at Emmanuel for a while and we know he will score goals for us.”

Rivière scored 17 goals in 50 matches for Monaco and played with Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko during his time at Toulouse. He moved to Monaco in January 2013 and helped them win the Ligue 2 title. He has represented France at under-21 level but has yet to win a full cap.

“I’m very happy to be here at Newcastle,” Rivière, who was born in Martinique, said. “When the club spoke to me I said yes immediately. It was an easy decision because Newcastle is a big club with great fans and a good stadium.”